Kid Icarus Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 An xG average of 1.6 is good. 5th best in the league I think, higher than both Man United and Spurs. Everything there backs up what I think I've seen from us and why I'm not overly concerned. Yes, the whole Trippier Miggy thing might seem stale and predictable to us (you could maybe make the same argument for Man City a couple of years ago with their overloads too) but it's no less effective, we're just not finishing chances. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnNUFC Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 1 hour ago, The Prophet said: Tl;dr - when it clicks, we're going to dish out some absolute hidings. Have felt that we would tbh, eventually. Want us to take the cup final result and all our frustrations out on Wolves a la West Ham (h) in 1996. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CM1961 Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 On 28/02/2023 at 17:26, samptime29 said: Feel as though we absolutely have to win the Wolves and Forest games if we want top 4. But is it too early for us to finish 4th and be playing Champions League ? Perhaps finishing 5th/6th would be a better position for our stage of development ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nine Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 (edited) Some of our attacking phases of play have become predictable and while the stats suggest that we are nearly as effective as pre WC on chances made you can see during games that teams have adapted to our deal with the Trippier/Miggy link especially, goals will still come from that side but just at a slower rate than before. I doubt we adjust our attacking approach that much as our xG is still good, but a more direct approach in certain games (even with Bruno in the team) might be an idea now we have a player like Gordon available. People saying make changes to the defence and swap players out (Targett for Burn??) are just blurting out their frustrations imo, this squad just lost a cup final.. the best way to restore confidence to our back 5 is obviously to take starting places away from the players that got us there With that being said I’d expect some rotation to our forwards, I think Gordon will get starts the deeper we get into the season as will Isak. Edited March 1, 2023 by Nine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEEJ Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 2 minutes ago, Nine said: Some of our attacking phases of play have become predictable and while the stats suggest that we are nearly as effective as pre WC on chances made you can see during games that teams have adapted to our deal with the Trippier/Miggy link especially, goals will still come from that side but just at a slower rate than before. I doubt we adjust our attacking approach that much as our xG is still good, but a more direct approach in certain games (even with Bruno in the team) might be an idea now we have a player like Gordon available. People saying make changes to the defence and swap players out (Targett for Burn??) are just blurting out their frustrations imo, this squad just lost a cup final.. the best way to restore confidence to our back 5 is obviously to take starting places away from the players that got us there With that being said I’d expect some rotation to our forwards, I think Gordon will get starts the deeper we get into the season as will Isak. I don't think Targett for Burn is that much of a blurted out frustration, is it? Burn has been running on empty over the last few weeks and (Leicester goal aside) he's absolutely bobbins in the final third. Targett coming back will give us more balance and more options going forward, both in-play and at set-pieces. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nine Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 (edited) 12 minutes ago, NEEJ said: I don't think Targett for Burn is that much of a blurted out frustration, is it? Burn has been running on empty over the last few weeks and (Leicester goal aside) he's absolutely bobbins in the final third. Targett coming back will give us more balance and more options going forward, both in-play and at set-pieces. Some of our players do look to be suffering from burn out yes, but I can’t see Targett starting until after the next international break now our schedule will slow down to a standard 1 game a week until April. We know Howe will show loyalty to a starting 11 who are 5th in the league, he’s been starting a out of form and recently back from injury/sickness Wilson over Isak.. I dont see it being any different in the short term for Burn/Targett. The argument for Targett adding something else in the final third will not be the priority when our defence has been performing as well as it has, you don’t risk the foundations of what has got you to a European spot and a cup final to start a player who hasn’t started all season on the balance of maybe adding a bit more going forward. Edited March 1, 2023 by Nine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEEJ Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 9 minutes ago, Nine said: Some of our players do look to be suffering from burn out yes, but I can’t see Targett starting until after the next international break now our schedule will slow down to a standard 1 game a week until April. We know Howe will show loyalty to a starting 11 who are 5th in the league, he’s been starting a out of form and recently back from injury/sickness Wilson over Isak.. I dont see it being any different in the short term for Burn/Targett. The argument for Targett adding something else in the final third will not be the priority when our defence has been performing as well as it has, you don’t risk the foundations of what has got you to a European spot and a cup final to start a player who hasn’t started all season on the balance of maybe adding a bit more going forward. I know this is a moot point as Howe will likely keep faith with the usual back four (and Pope), but we've hardly been rock solid at the back over the last few games. I think it's time for a few changes, and I'm hoping that by the time we play Wolves those changes have happened. Disclaimer: I love Eddie Howe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 Burn has looked cooked for a few games now, I don't think it's knee jerk to suggest he could use a rest. Targett is a solid option to have, whether he's fit enough is a different matter. Burn might bring leadership and a physical presence, but Targett is a better one on one defender and is an improvement in the final third. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nine Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 50 minutes ago, NEEJ said: I know this is a moot point as Howe will likely keep faith with the usual back four (and Pope), but we've hardly been rock solid at the back over the last few games. I think it's time for a few changes, and I'm hoping that by the time we play Wolves those changes have happened. Disclaimer: I love Eddie Howe. Don’t worry, I won’t get all emotional and accuse you of not trusting Howe because you’d like to see something different Personally I just feel it’s not the time to change our back 5 under the circumstances, but after the international break things could change depending on how the next 3 games go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decky Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 Looking a lot bigger a task now with Liverpool firmly back into the mix. I'm honestly not overly interested in this weekend because honestly fuck Man City away. Just a dreadful fixture for every team and anything there is a bonus. But we've a good run in after that. Time to get our form back and go for it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geordie Ahmed Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 2 minutes ago, Decky said: Looking a lot bigger a task now with Liverpool firmly back into the mix. I'm honestly not overly interested in this weekend because honestly fuck Man City away. Just a dreadful fixture for every team and anything there is a bonus. But we've a good run in after that. Time to get our form back and go for it. Liverpool have the two Manchester clubs in their next 3 fixtures so could do with them doing us a favour Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufcjb Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 (edited) I'm actually fearing our slump to continue because honestly, even Wolves at home next weekend looks like the kind of game where some of our home fans will moan and the players get frustrated and it'll end in a draw. My only hope is that if the cup was a distraction, the main reason behind the slump, then we would be over it now. Players need to react and need to react fast. Edited March 2, 2023 by nufcjb Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 (edited) The more I think about it the more I think Man City could hammer us. We’re allowing space in the channels and we’re not pressing like we were. Will try not to get too down if that happens anyway, but even Wolves is not an easy game. It doesn’t really matter too much to me where we finish, I just want to see us playing well and scoring again ASAP. Edited March 2, 2023 by AyeDubbleYoo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 We overperformed with what we had in the first half of the season and it's begining to even out now. Sixth place is our likely finish, which would still be exceptional all things considered. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormy Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 I can understand the calls for Targett to come in in theory, but considering how little he's played this season due to injuries, you have to assume it's going to take him time to get back up to speed. I dread to think how quickly we'd see 'idiotic decision to throw him in' if Howe did decide to start him in the near future and he looks off the pace. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Our press has been largely fine since the World Cup. Obviously it didn't look as effective when Bruno got himself suspended and the midfield lost a bit of balance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paully Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 I said after the January window when we failed to strength in CM and let Shelvey go that we wouldn’t finish top four and my words were “an injury to Bruno and we’re knackered”……....and then he gets sent-off hours later! I’d have snapped your hands off for top 8 never mind top 8 (surely!?) and a Cup Final! We’ve got a very good 13 players but the squad depth is poor but that will be addressed in the next two windows. Get this weekend out of the way and we'be got a great run of fixtures and can only get our mojo back! It’s been a superb season and it’s just the start! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Sixth and a cup final would be a tremendous season, but I'm not ready to give up on finishing in the top four just yet. It's still in our hands. If we can get even a fraction of last season's defiance back into the team/crowd and treat each individual game as we did then (15 cup finals, blah blah), we can still get more points than both Spurs and Liverpool will manage between now and the end of the season. Feel like we really just need to dust waselves doon and get back to basics, and we'll be grand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggys First Goal Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Call me crazy, but I don’t want CL football next season. Our squad isn’t up to scratch, and I don’t think we’ll buy enough quality in the summer to suddenly make us super amazing. If we manage to finish fourth I honestly think we’d get stuffed in the CL and embarrass ourselves. If you’d offered me a top 10 finish and a cup run at the start of the season I’d have snapped your hands off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffee_Johnny Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Only the league to focus on now, unlike some others. We’re still bang on the average points total for a 4th place finish, with many winnable games to come. Here’s hoping! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 4 minutes ago, Miggys First Goal said: Call me crazy, but I don’t want CL football next season. Our squad isn’t up to scratch, and I don’t think we’ll buy enough quality in the summer to suddenly make us super amazing. If we manage to finish fourth I honestly think we’d get stuffed in the CL and embarrass ourselves. If you’d offered me a top 10 finish and a cup run at the start of the season I’d have snapped your hands off. I'm struggling to put the disdain I have for this post into words, so here's a Michael Scott gif. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 We’ve gone from over-performing to performing as expected with this squad. 6th and a cup final would be a huge season. I’d say Brighton are better than us on the whole and are our biggest challenge to 6th place, assuming Liverpool push on as expected and Chelski keep stuttering. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geogaddi Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Brighton seem to be overrated on here, was only a few weeks ago they lost to Fulham at home and needed a last minute goal to beat Bournemouth at home, they will get distracted by the FA cup now as well, they are a good team but nothing for us to worry about. Liverpool have always been the main danger and however poor Spurs are they have Kane so will be top 6 because of that. As things stand unless we totally collapse Liverpool will be the only team below us now that will finish above us so that means we will be 6th at worst. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Just listening to a betting podcast. They're talking about how we have a conversion problem, rather than a creative one. In the last seven games, we've scored only three goals from 97 shots. Since the world cup we're 3rd in the league for big chances created and shots in the box. Man City are only marginally better on those metrics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myleftboot Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 7 hours ago, The Prophet said: Just listening to a betting podcast. They're talking about how we have a conversion problem, rather than a creative one. In the last seven games, we've scored only three goals from 97 shots. Since the world cup we're 3rd in the league for big chances created and shots in the box. Man City are only marginally better on those metrics. 3 from 97. That’s bad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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